Durham is our home.

Duke is fully invested in the future of Durham and everyone in it. We are proud to support the issues that matter most to our community. We do this by providing significant financial resources for patients who need help with medical costs, full tuition grants for North Carolina students from middle and low-income backgrounds, millions of dollars each year to support local non-profits, and through decades-long partnerships with our neighbors.

In collaboration with local government, education institutions, and non-profits, we are proud to play our part in developing and supporting a talented workforce and tackling housing affordability in Durham and beyond.

As the largest employer in Durham County and the second largest private employer in North Carolina, Duke employs more than 57,000 people, with over half residing in Durham County.

Local Spending

Duke and Duke Health spent $1.1 billion in 2023 with NC-based entities, $233 million of which was spent with Durham-based businesses. Duke’s local vendor spending generated $71.3 million in income and created and supported 738 resident jobs in 2023.

Visitor Impact

Several parts of campus are among the top 5 destinations in Durham. Visitor spending in 2023 spurred the creation of 505 resident jobs, $25 million in earnings, and $117 million in Durham County sales.

• 35,099 taxpaying residents are employed by Duke.
• $2.48 billion of total Durham wages are attributed to Duke.
• 62.4% of Duke employees are Durham residents.
• 57 active startup companies spun out of Duke create 926 resident jobs, $84.5 million in resident earnings, and $387 million in Durham County sales.

• For every two jobs Duke creates, one additional job is created in Durham.
• Due to this multiplier effect, an additional 17,407 Durham residents are employed and $790m in resident earnings are generated elsewhere.
• Duke and Duke Health spent $1.1 billion in 2023 with NC-based entities, $233m of which was spent with Durham-based businesses.